Israel bars Swiss diplomats from Gaza after they meet Hamas leaders - report

Israel will refuse Swiss diplomats access to the Gaza Strip until further notice after recent meetings were held with Hamas leaders, AFP reported, citing an Israeli official as saying on Wednesday. Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman issued the order to prevent the diplomats from traveling to the Palestinian enclave from Israeli territory, the official said. On Tuesday, Switzerland’s envoy to the Palestinian Authority, Julien Thoni, met Hamas’ chief in the Gaza Strip, Yahya Sinwar.